Key Facts

Description

In 2001 John set up Zakale Creations. The Project is located in Huruma, which is part of Mathare Valley. The slum population is approx. 8,000 with a very high unemployment rate (approx. 80%). The people who live here have many problems including poor housing, lack of basic facilities, including water, roads etc. and lack of education. The ‘drop out’ from Primary School is very high and few complete their Primary School education. Please click here for more information on Mathare Slum.

John was brought up in this slum and still lives locally. Within the community he is active on a number of local committee’s including football training, traditional dance, garbage collection and security services. Through these committees suitable people are identified for training at the workshop. There are many more people who wish to join the project than the Project can cater for so competition for places is tough! Approximately 10 people trained here are now independent craftsmen and woman, and have set up their own jewellery making businesses and work at local markets.

It is a highly organised workshop and is very creative. John has trained various team members to manage responsibilities and now has: Workshop Manager / Sales manager / Designer (Wire) / Giriama Bead Specialist / Bead Earrings Specialist.
Their recycled range employs others outside of the workshop, who collect and clean bottletops, wire, tin cans and old cooking pots to be transformed into beautiful jewellery. see the latest Zakale Creations range here.
This workshop is improved year on year. It has been extended, re fitted and now has internet connection. It also has new machines and is a very nice working environment, maintained perfectly both inside and out.
In addition to running this Project John has worked with The Zuri Foundation on our Walk Against Crime project, which brought 10 dancers from Mathare slum to the UK in 2013, a number of whom work at Zakale Creations. read about Walk Against Crime.